KEL SUU Lake Tour

Join our thrilling 2-day Kel Suu Lake tour in Kyrgyzstan, a hidden alpine gem surrounded by towering cliffs and rugged mountain peaks near the Chinese border.

With its ever-changing water levels and dramatic scenery, this remote and mystical glacial lake offers an unforgettable adventure for nature lovers and explorers alike. Trek/ride through untouched valleys, cross wild rivers, and experience the raw beauty of Kyrgyzstan’s wilderness.

With an overnight stay in a traditional yurt and the chance to connect with fellow travelers, this tour is the perfect blend of adventure, cultural immersion, and breathtaking natural landscapes.

Kel Suu Lake Kyrgyzstan - The Complete Travel Guide how to visit Kel Suu Lake in Kyrgyzstan

Journal of Nomads Hiking at Kel Suu Lake - Adventure Tours Kyrgyzstan

Duration: 2 days – 1 night
Fitness level required: moderate: the day hike is 18km at an altitude above 3000m (horse riding is also possible)
Lodging: 1 night in yurt camp
Start & Finish: Naryn (other pick-up & drop-off locations are also possible)
Group size: from 2 to 10 people

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REVIEWS: What travelers say about the KEL SUU Lake Tour

We had an amazing 2-day trip to Kol Tor Lake and Kel Suu Lake—both offering absolutely breathtaking scenery in Kyrgyzstan. Emir was an exceptional guide throughout. He was incredibly insightful, sharing a wealth of knowledge about the country’s socioeconomic background and natural landscapes. What stood out the most, though, was how caring, funny, and thoughtful he was. Emir went out of his way to make sure we were comfortable, safe, and well taken care of every step of the way. Truly a top-notch experience—highly recommend him!

Luca (Switzerland)Kel Suu Tour, July 2025

Thank you to Emir and Cynthia for arranging tours to Kel Suu and Song Kul for me and my wife! They were both quick to communicate and helpful with any questions we had. We experienced an issue but they were brilliant at resolving it for us at short notice. We really appreciate their professionalism and kindness. Our guide, Zhantai, was amazing and we felt welcomed by him from the moment we met him. His enthusiasm and friendliness made it so memorable. We’d highly recommend booking your Kyrgyzstan tours here!

Matt & Jemma (UK)Kel Suu & Song Kul Tour, July 2025

We had an incredible 2-day trip to Kel Suu with Emir as our guide. He was insightful, thoughtful, and a real pleasure to be around throughout the journey. Emir always put the client first – from negotiating great prices to making sure everything ran smoothly. His deep knowledge of the region and easygoing nature made the experience truly special. Would 100% recommend!

Federico (Germany)Kel Suu Tour, July 2025

Amazing overall experience! Very comfortable transportation and yurt accommodation with a knowledgable English speaking guide. Learned about Kyrgyz culture and traditions and ate delicious traditional food. Kel Suu was fascinating. The most beautiful lake I have seen with its crystal blue water and steep cliffs.

Zach (USA)Kel Suu Tour, August 2025

It was a dream. It was an incredible experience. The landscape was unbelievably beautiful. The yurt camp location was very nice. It’s a very beautiful place. Our guide and driver took very good care of us. Thank you again!!! for the two wonderful days. I love Kel Suu ❤ 💙 💜

Sot (Germany)Kel Suu Tour, August 2025

Everything was amazing! The organization and the programme went fluently, and I can only recommend this amazing opportunity, if you want to visit a hidden gem like Kel-Suu and other breathtaking attractions with a local guide. It wasn’t just about travelling, but about learning, too.

István (Hungary)Kel Suu Tour, July 2025

The tour was really nice! Sam and the driver made me feel comfortable and the yurt camp was really cozy.

Michela (Italy)Kel Suu Tour, August 2025

We enjoyed it a lot. Our camp was very nice & super close to the lake, the driver & guide did both splendid jobs.

Lukas & Vanessa (Germany)Kel Suu Tour, August 2025

We heb en genoten van onze tour naar Kel Suu. We werden begeleid door een zeer lieve gids die er alles aan deed om ons een goede ervaring te geven. Hij wist ook veel te vertellen over het land. Daarnaast was de driver ervaren om off-road te gaan en voelden we ons steeds op ons gemak. Topervaring!

Eline & Axelle (Belgium)Kel Suu Tour, July 2026

We had a perfect time with Jacky and Erlan on the tour to Kel Suu lake. They are friendly and laid back, fun and talking to them about Kyrgysztan and learning about the people and culture was great!
They took us on an extra tour to Kol Tor lake the first day which is beautiful and not touristy, so we had a nice quite time by the lake by ourselves and then got called by the locals that came after us to try out horse milk and get some sweets.
We rested at the best yurt camp, far from all the people coming to Kok Kiya valley, so again we had that secluded feeling of being the only ones in the valley. Day after we went on a relaxing hike to Kel Suu lake where we took our time to take in the beautiful view and eat some lunch.
Overall I would recommend to anyone coming to Kyrgyzstan to contact them and have the best time!

Tanja (Serbia)Kel Suu Tour, July 2026

We had a great time with Jackie and Erlan. The guys are wonderful, professional, speak excellent English and will do everything to make you feel comfortable. All recommendations. We spent only two days with them on Kel Suu Lake Tour, but I regret not spending more time together. The conversation is pleasant and natural, and you will learn a lot about Kyrgyzstan, it’s people and customs. Looking forward to going back to this wonderful country.

Aleksandara (Serbia)Kel Suu Tour, July 2026

ITINERARY

TOUR DATES

TOUR COSTS

FAQ’s

BOOKING

2-day Kel Suu Tour Itinerary

Day 1: Naryn to Kok-Kiya Valley (driving time: 5 hours)

Your adventure begins in Naryn, where you’ll meet your guide and group at 9 am at the local Globus for the journey towards the remote Kel Suu Lake.

The drive takes you through breathtaking mountain landscapes, winding rivers, and high-altitude valleys, passing through the scenic Ak-Sai region near the Chinese border. Along the way, you’ll stop for photos and enjoy a packed lunch surrounded by nature.

By afternoon, you’ll arrive at the Kok Kiya Valley, where you’ll settle into your yurt. After some rest, you can explore the surrounding area before having dinner at the camp.

Meals included: dinner.
Accommodation: shared yurt
Facilities: outdoor toilet, no electricity, no wi-fi, no hot shower

Day 2: Kok-Kiya VAlley to KEL SUU Lake (hiking time: 5 hours), REturn to Naryn

After breakfast, you’ll embark on a scenic hike or horseback ride (optional) to the breathtaking Kel Suu Lake.

The journey leads you through rugged mountain paths and valleys, eventually revealing the turquoise waters of the hidden glacial lake surrounded by towering cliffs.

Take time to explore the shoreline, capture stunning photos, go on a boat ride (optional) or simply soak in the peaceful atmosphere.

After enjoying the lake, you’ll return to the Kok Kiya Valley before beginning the drive back to Naryn, concluding this trip through Kyrgyzstan’s wild and remote landscapes.

Traveling in Kyrgyzstan - Kyrgyzstan travel Guide - Journal of Nomads

Meals included: breakfast

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tOUR dates

The Kel Suu tour can only be booked between July 1st and September 20th due to weather conditions.

If the tour dates below don’t suit you, contact me. We can add your tour dates and I’ll try to collect more people to join the tour. Please book at the latest 10 days beforehand as we need time to apply for the permits!

July 2026

* July 3rd – July 4th: 3 places booked, 7 places left (bookings closed)
* July 13th – July 14th: 2 places booked, 8 places left (bookings closed)
* July 15th – July 16th: 8 places booked, 2 places left (bookings closed)
-> Share your preferred tour dates!

August 2026

* August 3rd – August 4th: 3 places booked, 7 places left (bookings closed)
* August 14th – August 15th: 2 places booked, 8 places left
* August 18th – August 19th: 2 places booked, 8 places left
* August 21st – August 22nd: 1 place booked, 9 places left
-> Share your preferred tour dates!

September 2026

September 8th – 9th: 1 place booked, 9 places left
* September 11th – 12th: 5 places booked, 5 places left
* September 14th – 15th: 1 place booked, 9 places left
-> Share your preferred tour dates!

CHOOSE YOUR TOUR DATES HERE

TOUR COSTS

Number of people	2 – 3	4 – 5	6 – 7	8 – 9	10 – 11
Price per person (EURO)	350	320	290	250	230

What’s included in this price?

Private transportation with experienced driver
English-speaking tour guide
Lodging: 1 night in yurt camp: shared yurt, 4- 6 people in one yurt
Meals: dinner on day 1, breakfast on day 2
Transport: Naryn – Kok-Kiya Valley transfers
Border permits for the Kel Suu lake area: Kel Suu is located near the Chinese border and there are military checkpoints on the road to the lake. Anyone who wants to go there needs a border permit. To arrange these border permits for you, we’ll ask for a copy of your passport when you finalize your booking.

What’s not included in this price?

Accommodation in Naryn
Lunches -> bring your own snacks or on day 2, lunch can be ordered at the yurt camp for 800 som
Insurance: I recommend SafetyWing, HeyMondo or IATI backpacker if you want a good insurance provider for horse riding (in case you don’t have one yet).
Alcoholic beverages, soft drinks, bottled water
Horse riding: 2500 som per person
Boat ride on Kel Suu lake: around 1000 som per person

Why choose our Kel Suu Lake Tour?

Kel Suu is one of Kyrgyzstan’s most remote and spectacular destinations. Reaching this hidden alpine lake requires careful planning, a border permit, reliable transport, and local knowledge. We’ve been organizing Kel Suu adventures for a few years now and have carefully refined every detail to make your journey as smooth and enjoyable as possible.

From the moment you book, I’m here to help you prepare. I’m always happy to answer any questions before your adventure begins.

During the tour, you’ll travel with an experienced English-speaking guide, stay in a carefully selected yurt camp, enjoy home-cooked meals, and travel comfortably with all logistics – including your border permit and transfers -taken care of. This allows you to fully immerse yourself in the breathtaking landscapes, fascinating nomadic culture, and unforgettable experience of visiting one of Kyrgyzstan’s most extraordinary places.

At Journal of Nomads, we believe great adventures are built on quality, not quantity. That’s why I work with trusted local partners, keep my groups small, and never compromise on safety, or the overall experience.

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Frequently Asked Questions

How to get to Naryn from Bishkek or Kochkor

From Bishkek: Marshrutkas (minivans) and (shared) taxis leave from the Bishkek Western Bus Station. The journey to Naryn takes around 5 to 6 hours and costs 450 som per person (marshrutka) to 750 som per person (shared taxi). They usually leave in the morning and depart when full.

From Kochkor: Shared taxis and marshrutkas to Naryn usually depart in the morning and early afternoon from the main bus station or central market area in Kochkor. The journey takes 3 to 4 hours and costs 300 som (marshrutka) to 500 som (shared taxi) per person.

Note: we can arrange transport from Bishkek/ Kochkor to Naryn (and/or vice versa) at an additional price

How is the weather going to be like?

Kel Suu Lake is only accessible between the months of June and September. This is generally the best time to be in the Kyrgyz mountains.

While the temperatures in Bishkek might be warm (around 35ºC), the average temperature at Kel Suu is between 10°C and 15ºC during the day. Nights are cold (between 0ºC to 5 ºC) so you’ll need to bring warm clothes for the evening. The yurt camps also have stoves that will be lit at night.

Just remember: the weather in the mountains is very unpredictable so you might experience rain, snow, and sun in one day. Bring warm and waterproof clothes, suitable for any weather condition.

What do I need to pack?

Once you’ve confirmed your booking, you’ll receive a detailed packing list.

How are the sleeping facilities on the tour?

We organize lodging in yurt camps owned by local families. The yurts have shared spaces, accommodating 4 to 6 people (no single option possible). The yurt camps provide beds with blankets and pillows.

What are the bathroom facilities on the tour?

You have to be comfortable not taking a hot shower as there are no showers at the yurt camps.

You’ll also have to be comfortable using an outdoor toilet. There’s usually toilet paper but bring some spare with you on the tour.

Is there a vegetarian option on the tour?

Yes, just let us know when signing up for the tour.

Contact me if you’d have more questions!

Booking & Cancellation

Confirm your participation by filling out the booking form and paying the non-refundable deposit of €80 per person.

Deposits can be made via a standard bank transfer in EUR or via online transfer (Wise) in EUR or USD.

As soon as I receive your booking, I’ll send out the payment details. You have 48 hours to pay the deposit. If not, I have to cancel your participation and reserve the place for the next person who books.

The remaining tour costs can be paid either in cash on the first day of the tour or via online transfer (additional fees might apply) at the latest one week before the start of the trip.

If you have any more questions or want more info, please contact me here!

Cancellation policy

If for any reason you can’t join this tour, you’ll receive a refund of the tour cost – minus the deposit and transaction fees – , if you cancel at the latest 7 days before the start of the tour.

In case we have to cancel this tour due to unforeseen circumstances, you’ll receive a full refund of the tour costs (minus transaction costs).